Rules

Every tournament staged by Major League Darts is held under the rules laid down by the Darts Regulation Authority.

The DRA are responsible for the development of the rules, upholding discipline within MLD.

The DRA Rule Book, shall be the official rules of Major League Darts.

Additional details and information about the Darts Regulation Authority can be found on their website: (www.thedra.co.uk)

Pretty standard rules, with a few exceptions. Please read the full rulebook and MLD addendum listed below) for the formal rules.

Official MLD Rules Addendum

Every tournament staged by Major League Darts (MLD) is held under the rules laid down by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA). The DRA are responsible for the development of the rules, and upholding discipline within MLD. The DRA Rule Book, shall be the official rules of Major League Darts. http://www.thedra.co.uk/Rule-Book.html

In accordance with DRA rules 5.7 and 5.16.05, the following shall constitute official rules of MLD and events held under its banner.

3 Definitions
3.1 “Chalker” see the definition of Marker and Referee.
“Bust” total darts score, of darts thrown, equaling more than is required to finish the game.

4 Code of Conduct
4.9 Excessive bad language shall be grounds for removal from the event and no refunds issued.

5.10 Throw
5.10.06 The Player shall not approach the Oche nor throw the first dart of their turn before the opposing player has retrieved their darts and is behind the Oche.
5.10.07 The Player shall have a maximum of 90 seconds to throw all three darts once the opposing player is behind the Oche and the player's turn has commenced. After the time has expired, only those darts thrown before the time allotted shall count towards the Players turn.

5.11 Starting and Finishing
5.11.05 “Game shot” shall be changed to “Game shot or Bust”.
5.11.11 Should a player “Bust” with any dart, the turn is over immediately. NO additional darts will be thrown.

5.15 Oche and Playing Area
5.15.13 In those circumstances where the Oche is set down on a flat surface, the front of the Oche mark shall be used for proper measurements; minimum width of the Oche shall not be less than 18” wide (457 mm)

5.17 Entry
5.17.11.01 Full refund if entry is canceled 2 weeks prior to the tournament
5.17.11.02 50% refund if entry is canceled 1 week prior to the tournament
5.17.11.03 No refund if entry is canceled within 1 week of the event, unless a replacement player can be found and the registration fee is transferred to the new player. The entry fee can also be kept “on the books” and applied towards a future tournament.
5.17.12 The Promoter reserves the right to allow LATE registrations after the registration deadline. A Late registration fee may be charged in addition to the entry fee for registrations accepted after the registration deadline.

5.18 Registration and Call to Play
5.18.07 Chalking in the Round Robin Phase: The chalker is assigned from the round robin sheet
5.18.08 Chalking in the Knockout phase: Loser of the previous match chalks the next match on the same board. Tournament Director shall assign a chalker for first round matches.
5.18.10 The assigned chalker is responsible for providing a substitute chalker if they are physically unable to chalk a match.
5.18.11 Failure to chalk a match or failure to provide a substitute chalker (Clause 5.18.10) will result in forfeiture from the remaining matches and subsequent events for that day with no refund, along with a non-distribution of any prize money earned.

5.20 Order of Play
5.20.05.01 All darts thrown shall be pulled by the Player prior to the Opponents throw at the Bull.
5.20.05.02 Only a 25 or 50 shall count when determining the order of play.

5.24 Tie-Break
5.24.08 In the Round Robin phase, the following rules shall be applied, in order, to break ties:
1. Head to Head wins between all tied players.
Example 1. If two (2) players are tied and the score was 3-2 between then, the player with 3 wins will be the winner of this tie-break rule.
Example 2. If three+ (3+) players are tied in total legs, compare the leg wins just between the tied players; the player with the most wins breaks this tie.
2. One (1) leg round robin 501 between all tied players.
3. Repeat these rules until all ties are broken

5.25 Playing Attire
5.25.01.01 Long pants will be worn. No Shorts. Skirts and kilts are allowed, but must be no shorter than 1 (one) inch above the knee.
5.25.06 Closed toe shoes shall be worn by the Player.
5.25.07 Rule 5.25.01 can be relaxed for NON Open, Ladies, and Youth Singles and/or Qualifier/Mini events, yet still subject to rules 5.25.04 and 5.25.05, and at the Tournament Director's discretion.

5.26 Smoking
5.26.04.01 Clause 5.25.06.01 shall also be added to the list of clauses this rule shall be applied to.
5.26.05.01 All MLD events shall be non-smoking. If a venue allows smoking: No Smoking will be permitted during a match by a player, chalker, in the players' area, or within ten (20) feet of the playing area, which is ten (20) feet from the back and side of the oche.

Here are a few basics:

Chalking/Scoring/Marking:
1 Chalking is a requirement of all players
2 All players are assigned to chalk multiple matches throughout the tournament
2.1 Round Robin: chalker is assigned from the round robin sheet
2.2 Knockout: loser chalks the next match on the same board
3. An assigned chalker is responsible for providing a substitute chalker if they are unable to chalk a match
4. Failure to chalk a match or failure to provide a substitute chalker will result in forfeiture from the remaining matches and subsequent events for that day with no refund, along with a non-distribution of any prize money earned.
5. Multiple forfeitures for failure to chalk, or failure to provide a substitute chalker, may result in a ban from future events.

Start of Game:
1 Player listed on the left in the round robin, and on the top in the knockout will diddle first
1.1 50 beats a 25
1.2 25 beats a miss
1.3 Must have a 25 or 50 to win the diddle
1.4 PULL your dart after EVERY throw.
1.5 Ties, alternate players
2 Player winning the diddle starts the odd numbered legs. Loser starts the even numbered legs
2.1 Alternate start

Game Play:
1 Standard 501 rules apply: Single start, double to finish. Must hit the exact number to win.
2 Match order is pre-determined. It is the player's responsibility to be on time to start their match
2.1 Matches will NOT be called.
2.1.1 In the Round Robin phase, you play the next match after the previous has finished. Chalkers are assigned from the match sheet. Players should be warmed up and ready to go; that is why practice boards have been provided. 6 darts warm up for round robin play
2.1.2 In the Knockout phase, you play the next match after the previous has finished. Chalker is the Loser of the previous match on that board. Players should be warmed up and ready to go; that is why practice boards have been provided. 9 darts warm up for knockout play

Round Robin Ties:
1 Head-Head between all tied players
2 3+ players tied: 1 leg round robin of 501 between all tied players.
3 repeat the tie break rules until there is a winner

No Smoking:
1 No Smoking during a match by a player or chalker. No smoking in the player's area during a match or within 20 feet of the oche.